Refrigerating apparatus and method



June 15, 19411 L. R. SMITH 2,443,203

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 1'1,l 1945 4 sheets-sheet 1 @QW am 4 sheets-sheet 2 L. R. SMITH REFRIGERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD June l5, 1948.

`Filed July 17, 1945 4 Ew/.s n. SM/ Thi,

'June 15, 194s.

L.. R. SMITH REFRIGERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 17, 1945 IIHIIHIIIIII L. R. SMITH AREFHIGEHRA'I'ING PPARATUS AND METIHOD June 15, 194s7 `4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed July 17, 1945 Patented June v15, i948 REFRIGERATIN G APPARATUS AND METRO Lewis R.' Smith, Norwalk, Conn., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Phiilippe L. Goetz,

Darien, Conn.

lApplication .hay 17, 1945, serial Nn. 605,510

(ci. sz-10s) 17 Claims.

This invention relates to the making and dispensing of ice cubes and more particularly toa device which will accomplish these results and which may be encased within an insulated cabinet having space solely therefor, or in a refrigerator cabinet having additional space for the storage of foods and the like.

Numerous arrangements for making and dispensing ice cubes have been known heretofore.

Many of these have proved unsatisfactory because they possess numerous moving parts and are complicated in nature. the present invention the ice cube making and dispensing apparatus is substantially static in nature and requires no motor driven moving parts other than those in the conventional refrigerant liquefying apparatus which circulates the refrigerant. It is an object of the invention to provide such a device.

Other prior attempts to provide anI adequate ice cube making and dispensing device have not met the requirement of releasing the ice cubes with sufiicient speed or ease. It is a further object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

In a preferred form of the invention a refrigerated ice cube tray is rigidly suspended within, but not connected to, a trough which is pivotally mounted. The ice cubes are adapted to be released from the tray by passing warm refrigerant vapors through a tray refrigerating section of the evaporator which contacts the tray and by simultaneously filling the trough with water. The ice cubes are thus loosened from the tray and float to the surface of the Water. When the water in the trough reaches a predetermined level the trough, because of its shape, becomes unbalanced and turns on its pivots, thus dumping the ice cubes and water into a chute. The ice cubes are then directed by an inclined grating to a point within easy access of the user. The water passes through the grating either to a drain or to a res- In accordance with ervoir where it may again be used. It is another object of the invention to provide such a device.

In its broader aspects the invention contem- 4 become more apparent from the following description and claims when read-in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view (partially diagrammatic) taken through a cabinet which encloses an icev cube making and-dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partially in section, showing one of the troughs and trays;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the series arrangement of the evaporator and tray refrigerating sections thereof showing its disposition with respect to the trays;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the water distribution system;

' Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical circuit and controls for operating the device;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the cabinet illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically a domestic refrigerator in which a unit'embodying the invention is disposed, the unit being shown in dotted lines; and

Fig. 9 illustrates diagrammatically the disposition of a plurality of such units within a cabinet.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 a cabinet III, provided with insulation II, has a front wall provided with an opening I2 adapted t receive a removable ice cube receiving tray I3.

Supported within the cabinet are a plurality of ice cube trays I4, two of them being shown in Fig. 1.

Each ice cube tray I 4 has a tray refrigerating section I5 in direct contact therewith.

These ice cube trays I4 are supported rigidly within the cabinet I0 by -the tray refrigerating section I5 to which they are secured. This is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4.

As thus supported, each ice cube tray I4 isfrom which it will be seen that the trough I6 is uneven or unbalanced in shape so that when it is lled with water, as will be described, it will tip on its pivotal -axis to the position illustrated in dot Aand dash lines in Fig. 3. It will be understood.

however, that at all times thel ice cube trays I4 remain rigidly in the one position shown in this figure. v

Referring again to Fig. 1-, the lower portion of the cabinet I0. which is insulated from the upper portion, supports therefrigerant `liquefying apparatus, which generally speaking, may bev ofv any type as conventionally employed in domestic or commercial refrigerators. f This is diagrammatically illustrated as com prising a compressor I8 driven by an electric motor I 9,-a condenserr 20 cooled by a motor driven fan 2|, and a'refrigerant reservoir 22.

The tray refrigerating section I5 is connected to the refrigerant`liquefying apparatus so that normally 'refrigerant passes from the condenser 20 upwardly through the tray refrigerating section I5, in contact with the ice cube trays I4v (Fig.

' 4) and then back to the refrigerant liquefying apparatus on the suction side of the compressor I8. However. in accordance with the invention a valve 23 (Fig. 1) is disposed in therefrigerant invention'.

pipe 24 between the compressor I8 and the condenser so that when ice cubes are to be released from the trays I4, as will be described, the warm refrigeration vapors from thehigh pressure side of the refrigerant system may be bypassedto the evaporation I5. l

Also located in the lower part of the cabinet I6 is a water reservoir 25 which connects with a water pump 26 connected by tubing to a two-way valve 21. The valve 21 connects with the two water pipes 28 and 29. which extend upwardly and then horizontally,l respectively over each of the icevcube trays I4. The horizontal -portions of these water pipes 26 and 29 are provided with a series of openings 30 through which water is released for nlling the troughs I6.

The remaining structure and arrangement of the parts will be described in thefollowing explanation of the manner in which the device operates. Assuming that the ice cube trays I4 are lled with water, the refrigerant (which may be of any of the well-known typessuch as those employed in domestic. refrigerators) is compressed by the compressor I8 and then passes through the conduit 24, l(a part of which is in heat exchange relation with the water reservoir 25), to the valve 23.- The refrigerant passes from the valve 23 to the condenser 20 where it is condensed, and thence through the tray refrigerating section I5 in heat exchange relation to the lvarious ice cube trays I4. It will be noted that -by any suitable means. One such means may be by a thermostatic expansion valve. In Fig. 1, a thermostatic expansion valve 32 is shown las disposed on the inlet side of the tray `refrigerating section I5 before the latter passes to the first ice cube tray. In manner well known to those skilled in the 'art (and for which reason no specific showing is here made) the valve 32 is controlled by a diaphragm one side of which connects by a tube 33 to a bulb 34 which is disposed l in surface contact with the refrigerant coil I5.

'Ihe bulb 34 is niledwith refrigerant, for example, and when the temperature of the refrigerant in the trayv refrigerating section I5 at the area of contact with the bulb 34, is too high, the

refrigerant in the bulb thermostatic expansion valve 32 to increase the amount of refrigerant vapors passing therethrough. Thisv arrangement is commonly used and specifically forms no part of the present Conveniently, the electric line to the motor I9 for the compressor I6 may be provided with a switch (not shown) which may be actuated by pressure or other means to shut off the motor when freezing has been effected.

When it is'desired to remove ice cubes from any of the ice cube trays I4, an electrical circuit is n'iade such as by pressing the button switch 35 located on the front wall of the cabinet. This circuit energizes a solenoid 36 which actuates the valve 23 so that the warm refrigerant vapors are by-passed 4through the pipe 31 directly to the tray refrigerating section I5 just before the llatter contacts the rst ice cube tray. The warm vapors thus pass through the refrigerant coil I5 around the various ice cube trays I4 where they assist in loosening the ice cubes from the trays.

Connected in the electrical circuit wnich includes the solenoid 36` is a second solenoid 38 which, when energized, actuates a rack 39 engaging a pinion 40 mounted on the shaft 4I of the two-way valve 21. The pinion 49 is mounted on the shaft through a one-way clutch arrangement so that on the return stroke of 'the rack no movement of the valve shaft is effected. Water from the water reservoir 25 is pumpedby pump 26 to the valve 21. The valve 21. upon actuation of the rack 39, moves so that the water will be pumped first through the water inlet line 28 leadr `ing to the lower ice cube tray I4. f The water lls vthe trough I6 and in commotion withv the warm vapors passing through the'tray refrigerating section I5, causes the ice cubes to loosen from the ice cube-tray I4 and float to the surface of the water.` l

When the trough has been filled with'water,

the trough becomes unbalanced and tilts to the opening 43. With reference to Figs. y1 and 2, anl

inclined grille 44 is disposed below the opening 43 in the chute 42 for the lowermost trough i6.

Water passes through the grille 44 but the grille directs the ice cubes' to the ice cube receiving tray I3 from which they may be removed by the user.

When the i-ce cubes have beenvso removed from the trough, the trough emptied of water 'will (because it is weighted) return to its normal position (full lines in Fig. 3).. Since, however, "the ice cube tray I4 within the trough has remained stationary throughout the operation, it 'will be apparent that it will now be illed with water and ready for freezing again. The yfreezing is accomplished merely by dre-.energizing the solenoid 36 so/'that the valve 23 `(Fig. 1) will again pass the refrigerant through the condenser 29 and `thence to the tray refrigerating section l5..

It will be noted that in effecting removal'of ice cubes, the operation .of the two solenoids 36 and 38 may be simultaneous so that the warm refrigerant vapors are'by-passed in heat exchange relation Vto 'the ice cube trays at the same time will expand, thus exerting pressure on the diaphragm and actuating the nl v that one of the ice cube trays is caused to be submerged in water.

Each time the button 35 is pressed the solenoid'38 is energized and the rack 39 will be actuated, thus rotating the pinion 40 and advancing the two-way valve 21 one step. Therefore, water pumped from the reservoir 25 may thus be successively introduced into each of the water pipes 28 and 29.

It will be noted that when the Warm refrigerant vapors are by-pas'se'd by valve 23 into the tray refrigerating section I disposed in contact with the ice cube trays I4, the ice cube trays in each trough I6 will be heated even though ther user may Wish to remove ice cubes only from one ice cube tray. It has been found, however,V that this heating of the trays from which ice cubes are not to be removed, is not particularly harmful since, without submerging the icecube trays in water, the ice cubes, even though loosened, cannot rise upwardly. They thus remain in their freezing position Within the ice cube trays until the operator again presses the button 35 to advance valve 21 to cause the introduction'of water to the proper trough I6 as described above. However, if so desired, a time delay relay may 'be disposed in the line to solenoid 36 so as tor de-energize the solenoid after a` suitable period,

sufiicient to maintain the circuit until one of the troughs has tilted, dispersing the ice cubes and breaking the circuit. The reference numeral 60 indicates the motor for the water pump 26. The motor is disposed in the circuit and will shut off when the circuit is broken by one of the mercury switches 59. Where the domestic water supply is used a solenoid operated valve (not shown). may be used .with the solenoid disposed in the circuit in place of motor 60.

Figs. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate different types of cabinets in which units like those described may be disposed.

say twelve. seconds, thus preventing the warm refrigerant vapors from heating the ice c ube trays for too long a period.

It should, of course, be apparent that in lieu of providing the water reservoir 25 and pump` 26, the water may be supplied directly from any water source under pressure. For example, where the device is to be employed in a domestic kitchen, the water may be supplied by connecting the inlet 45 of the two-way valve21 directly to the water pipe leading to the water supply.l

In such event the drain tube. 46 (Fig. 1) may be connected to the drain pipe into which the kitchen sink empties instead of to the water reservoir as shown. In Fig. 1, a funnel mem- -13er 41 may be used to catch the water passing through the grille 44 and to direct it to the drain tube 46.

In Fig. 5, the Water distribution system is shown diagrammatically as applied to a device having three troughs I6. The Water reservoir is indicated by the reference numeral 25 and water passes from this reservoir intol the motor driven pump 26 and thence to a three-way valve 48 which may be actuated in any suitable manner such as, for example, the manner indicated in connection with the valve21 of Fig. 1. troughs I6 in this figure are diagrammatically shown as pivoted at 49 and the 'water inlet tubes .50, 5I, '52 conveniently lead from the three-Way valve 48 to each of these ytroughs I6.

In Fig. 6, an electrical circuit is illustrated. Here, actuation of the ice cube releasing mechanism is effected by depressing a foot pedal 53 which may be used in place of the lbutton of Fig. l. Depression of the foot pedal 53 through the' rack 54 andthe pinion 55 effects advancement of the three-way Valve 48 (shown in Fig. 5) Depression of the foot pedal 53 also closes a circuit which energizes the operating coil 56, of a contactor having contacts 51, 58. The circuit also includes the solenoid 3E which actuates the valve 23 for by-passing. warm refrigerant vapors in heat exchange relation to the ice cube trays. Connected so as to pivot with the troughs are mercury switches 59. When any one of the troughs I6 is illled with water and tilts-g thus The . the typeshown in Fig. 7 may be suiliciently small In Fig. '7 a simple type cabinet I0 is shown which may conveniently be dimensioned to enclose but one unit, it being understood that one unit may have several troughsdisposed in vertical alignment. The ice cubes are deposited in the removable tray I3, as in Fig. 1. Cabinets of so as to be placed conveniently on the sink or work table or counter top in a domestic kitchen. Moreover, it may be placed Onthe floor so that the top is on a level with the top of the tables or counters.

In Fig. 8 there is shown diagrammatically how a unit having troughs I6 maybe disposed in a ydomestic refrigerator cabinet 6I.

Such a cabinet is provided with shelves 62 for the storage of food and also may be provided with a deep-freeze section indicated by the reference 63. It is also apparent that. a cabinet'may be provided to accommodate the ice cube making and dispensing device and also a deep freeze compartment, In such an instance both devices may be supplied with refrigerant by a single refrigerant liquefying apparatus.

For restaurants, bars, hospitals, or the like, it will be advantageous to provide a larger type cabinet havinga plurality of the units. Such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically inFig. 9 in which three units 64, 55, 66 each having four troughs, are disposed Within the cabinet with guide chutes having walls 61, 68, 69 and 10 so that ice cubes removed from any of the trays are directed to the opening 1I from which they may be removed. Any number of units may be ernployed depending on the size of the cabinet. Such an arrangement would appear to be ideal for very large restaurants, hospitals `or other institutions requiring a great number of ice cubes.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein ice cubes may be removed in a matter of seconds.

The arrangements shown have been by Way of example only and changes can obviously be made, now that the invention has been disclosed, without departing from the scope of the invention which is only to be limited in accordance with the language of the following claims.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the like, comprising at least one receptacle for water to be frozen, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means afi-:asicsl l for supplying said passageway with a refrigerant for freezing waterv in said receptacle into ice,

a container in which said receptacle is positioned to be surrounded by water in the container.

mechanism for vdirecting warm refrigerant through said passageway for breaking the bond between said receptacle and the ice formed therein, and mechanism for filling said container with water to a level above the upper level of the ice in the receptacle, whereby the' ice will be loosened and will float to the surface of the water.

2. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the. A

like, comprising, a partitioned ice cube tray, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said tray, a trough, said tray being suspended and positioned within said trough to be surrounded by water in said trough, means for supplying said passageway with refrigerant to freeze water in said tray, means for directing warm refrigerant through said passageway for breaking the bond between said trayl and the ice suspended so as to be positioned within said trough to be surrounded by water in said trough, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said tray, means for supplying said passageway with refrigerant to freeze water within said tray, means for directing warm refrigerant through said lpassageway for breaking the bond between said tray and the ice formed therein and mechanism for lling said trough with water to a level above'the upper level of the ice within said tray, whereby the ice will be loosened from the tray and will oat to the surface of the water.

4. An apparatus for making and dispensing'ice cubes and the like, comprising, a. cabinet, a trough pivotally .mounted within the cabinet to tilt about a horizontal axis, a partitioned ice cube tray rigidly suspended so as to be positioned within said trough to fbe surrounded by water in said trough, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said tray, means for supplying said passageway with refrigerant to freeze water within said tray, means for directing warm ing the bond between said tray and the ice formed therein, and mechanism for lling said trough with water to a level above the upper level of the ice within said tray, whereby the ice will be loosened from the tray and will oat to the surface a refrigerant passageway inrheat exchange rela--v tion with said tray, means for supplying said passageway with refrigerant to freeze water within said tray, means for directing warm refrigerant through said passageway for breaking the bond between said tray and the ice formed therein, mechanism for filling said trough with water to a level above the'upper level of the ice within said tray, whereby the ice will be loosened from the tray and will float to the surface ofthe water,

said trough being so mounted that when water introducedl therein reaches a predetermined level, the trough will tilt on its pivotal axis, thus dispensing the ice cubes, and means for separating the ice and water dumped from the trough.

6. An apparatus for making and dispensing ice cubes and the like, comprising, a. cabinet, a trough pivotally mounted within the cabinet to tilt about a horizontal axis, a partitioned ice cube tray rigidly suspended so as to be positioned within said trough to be surrounded by water in said ltrough, a refrigerant passageway in heat ex-y change relation with said tray, means for supplying said passageway with refrigerant to freeze g water within said tray, means for directing warm refrigerant through said passageway for breaking the bond between said tray and said ice, mechanism for filling said trough with water to a level above the upper level of the ice within said tray, whereby the ice will be loosened from the tray and will float to the surface of the water, said trough being so mounted that when water introduced therein reaches a predetermined level the trough" i will tilt on its pivotal axis, thus dispensing the, ice cubes, and means for separating the ice and water dumped from the trough, said separating means including a grid f-or'directing the ice to an opening in the cabinet accessible tothe user.

, 7. An apparatus for making and dispensing ice cubes and the like, comprising receptacle means for water to be frozen, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means for supplying said passageway with a refrigerant for freezingwater in said receptacle means into ice, a container in which said receptacle means is disposed in spacedA relationship to refrigerant through said passageway for breaktwo of the walls thereof, means for releasing ice from said receptacle means, said means comprising mechanism for' directing warm refrigerant through said passageway, and mechanism for filling said container with water to a level above that of the upper level of the ice in the receptacle means, whereby the ice will be loosened and will float to the surface of the water, said means for releasing ice from said receptacle means including means for actuating both of said mechanisms substantially simultaneously.

8. An apparatus yfor making ice cubes andthe like, comprising, a support, a trough pivotally axis, an ice cube tray rigidly suspended so as to be positioned within said trough and to be surrounded by water within said trough without interfering with the tilting movement of said trough, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said tray, means forsupplying said passageway with a. refrigerant to freeze water within the tray, and means for supplying said passageway with warm fluid for breaking the bond between the ice and said tray, means for introducing water into said trough until it reaches a level above the upper level of the ice in said tray, whereby ice loosened from the tray will oat to the surface of the water.

9. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the like, comprising, a support, a, trough pivotallyY mounted in said support to tilt about a horizontal axis, an ice cube tray rigidly suspendedso as to be positioned within said trough and to be surrounded by water in said trough Without interfering withthe tiltingmovement of said trough, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with 4said tray, means for supplying said passageway with -a refrigerant to freeze water within the tray, and means for supplying said passageway with warm uid for breaking the bond between the ice and said tray, and means for introducing water into said trough until it reaches a, level above the upper level of the ice in said tray, whereby ice loosened from the tray will float to the surface of the water, said trough being so mounted that when water introduced reaches a predetermined level, the trough will tilt on its pivotal axis thus dumping the ice therefrom.

10. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the like, comprising, a receptacle for water to be frozen, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, a container in which said receptacle is positioned to be surrounded by water in said container, a refrigerant liquefying apparatus having a compressor and a condenser, a conduit connecting said condenser with said passageway whereby refrigerant passing from said condenser is caused to travel through said passageway, a valve in said conduit between the compressor and the condenser, means for actuating said valve to by-pass warm refrigerant vapors to said passageway, and mechanism for filling said container with water 'to a level above the level of the ice in said receptacle, the action of said warm refrigerant vapors and of the water provided by said mechanism acting to release the ice from said receptacle whereupon it will float to the-surface of the water.

11. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the like, comprising, a receptacle for water to be frozen, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, a container in which of said warm refrigerant vapors and of the water provided by said mechanism acting to release the ice from said receptacle whereupon it will float to the surface of the water, an electric circuit including a solenoid for operating said valve, and means actuated by the operator to energize said solenoid and said mechanism.

13. A method of harvesting a predetermined number of confined ice cubes, which comprises passing warm refrigerant vapors in heat exchange relationship with the confined ice cubes and caussaid receptacle is positioned to be surrounded by waterin said container, a refrigerant liquefying apparatus having a compressor and a condenser, a conduit connecting said condenser with said passageway whereby refrigerant passing from said condenser is caused to travel through said passageway, a'valve in said conduit between the compressor and the condenser, means for actuating said valve to by-pass warm refrigerant vapors to said passageway, and mechanism for filling said container with water to a level above the level of the ice in said receptacle, the action of said warm refrigerant vapors andof the water provided by said mechanism acting to release the ice from said receptacle whereupon it will float to the surface of the water, and means for actuating said valve and said mechanism simultaneously.

12. An apparatus for making ice cubes and the like, comprising, a receptacle for water to be frozen, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, a container in which said receptacle is positioned to be surrounded by water in said container, a refrigerant liquefying apparatus having'a compressor and a condenser, a conduit connecting said condenser with said passageway whereby refrigerant passing from said condenser is caused to travel through said passageway, a valve in said conduit between the compressor and the condenser, means foractuating said valve to by-pass warm refrigerant vapors to said passageway, and mechanism for filling said container with water to a level above the level of the ice in said receptacle, the action ing said ice cubes to be surrounded by a body of water the upper level of which extends abovesaid ice cubes, whereby the ice cubes will be loosened by the combined action of the warm vapors and the water and will float to the surface of the water, dumping the water and released ice cubes, and separating the ice cubes from the water.

14. An apparatus fo-r making ice cubes and the like comprising at least one receptacle for water to be frozen, said receptacle having a. closed bottom, a refrigerant passageway in heat exchange relation with said receptacle, means for supplying said passageway with a refrigerant for freezing water in said receptacle into ice, a, container in which said receptacle is positioned to be surrounded by water in the container, mechanism for directing warm refrigerant through said passageway for breaking the bond between said receptacle and the ice formed therein, and mechanism for filling said container with water to a level above the upper level of the ice in the receptacle, whereby the ice will be loosened and will float to the surface of the water.

15. A method for making at least one ice cube lwhich comprises passing a. refrigerant in heat exchange relation with at least one body of water positioned below the top of a predetermined zone, and releasing at least one of said cubes after formation from its original position by increasing the quantityvof water in said zone and passing warm refrigerant vapors in heat exchange relation with at least one of said cubes.

16. A method of making ice cubes which comprises passing a refrigerant in heat exchange relation with a plurality of bodies of water positioned below the top of a predetermined zone, and releasing the cubes after formation from their original position by increasing the quantity of water in said zone and passing warm refrigerant vapors in heat exchange relation with said ice cubes.

1'7. A method of making ice cubes which comprises .passing a refrigerant in heat exchange relation with a plurality of bodies of water positioned below the top of a predetermined zone, and releasing the cubes after formation from their original position by simultaneously increasing the quantity ofwater in said zone and passing warm refrigerant vapors in heat exchange relation with said ice cubes.

LEWIS R. Sli/HTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,133,521 Wussow et al Oct. 18, 1938 

